Human Rights Inquiry: BHA Submits Evidence

July 10th, 2007

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has submitted evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ (JCHR) on the human rights of adults with learning disabilities.

The Inquiry comes at a time when more and more statutory public services are being contracted out to private and third sector providers, including religious organisations, meaning that increasing numbers of individuals are not receiving services directly from the state, leaving them at risk of having no legal recourse to the Human Rights Act.

Naomi Phillips , BHA Public Affairs Officer, said, ‘We were pleased to respond to the JCHR’s call for evidence, not least because we have had contact with a number of people who are very worried about their relatives’ rights both to freedom of belief and to a private life being infringed, particularly in residential care settings run by religious organisations.

‘Adults with learning disabilities are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and as such, we believe that it is the duty of the state to ensure that their rights are protected, whether that is in the context of receiving public services, or to have personal, including sexual, relationships with others, without interference by others on the basis of their religious convictions.’

The British Humanist Association (BHA) represents and supports the non-religious and campaigns for an end to religious privilege and to discrimination based on religion or belief. It is the largest organisation in the UK working for a secular society.

Our Campaigns

We want a country where institutions such as Parliament are separate from religious organisations, and everyone is treated equally, regardless of their beliefs.

Equality & Human Rights

As humanists, we support the right of every person to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be allowed to speak, and believe, as they wish.

Bishops in the House of Lords

26 Church of England Bishops sit as of right in the House of Lords, amending legislation. This unique privilege is unfair, unjustified and unpopular.

Assisted Dying

We believe individuals should have a right to decide to end their life if they are suffering, and that relatives and doctors should be able to assist that person.

Pseudoscience

NHS funding is spent on homeopathy, despite no evidence that it has health benefits beyond the placebo effect. This could be spent on other treatment.

Animal Welfare

UK law requires that animals killed for food are stunned before slaughter, as this is the most humane method – except with religious slaughter such as kosher and some halal, where there are exemptions.